Tuesday, January 19, 2010

A New Start and Startling Discoveries

Happy Tuesday everyone. I have to thank everyone for your wonderful comments on Adam Alone! I loved reading each and every one of them. And thank you too for the concern about the bat. We did find it, but I'll get to that in a little bit.

I had a new start this week. Yes, another Adam and Eve. If I don't do them, I'll never get my wall done.

The Yellow House Sampler

Sheepish Designs

DMC Threads and 35 ct. Pearled Barley

This is going so fast!! And I'm lovin' every minute of working on it! I don't know why I'm on such a tear with the Sheepish Designs charts at the moment. Probably because they've been in my stash for so long I figured it was time to stitch them before I stitch some of my newer A&E's.

I just love them. It seems that Cari and I share the same affection addiction to Adam and Eve samplers. It's alway great to have a partner in crime. Thank you so much Cari!!

Nothing much more on the stitching front this week except that I also worked on another Mary Little pillow for a friend of mine. After three attempts of stitching it - two times on the wrong sized fabric - I finally got it done! AUGHHH! I don't know what I was thinking. It was one of those head smack moments.

I've gotten myself into a real cleaning mode lately. We had numerous boxes on shelves in our workroom that I had been through before, but decided that since a year had gone by, and I hadn't used anything in those boxes, it was time for purging. The Salvation Army got two van-loads of things. But in the past, almost five years that we've lived here, I had never gotten around to my boxes and bins with quilt things in it. I realized that I hadn't really quilted in seven years, and the urge has come back strong. So I finally went through the boxes and what great things I found:

Seeds of Change

Kansas Troubles

Moda Fabrics

Hmmmmmm, I don't remember ordering this.

Are these fabrics not gorgeous? I plan on taking the ole rotary cutter to these this afternoon.

Then I found this box of Moda fabric rolls. If I remember right, it came with two wooden spoons, but I think I needed one at some point. For the life of me I can't remember if they're for a certain quilt or not as I usually box the pattern in with the fabric. Kim, do you have any idea what these fabrics could possibly be for (I'm relying on a Moda expert's opinion here - LOL)?

(Edited to add that Kim did identify the fabric and asked if the pattern was under all the fabric - but that, of course, would be too easy. Well, Kim guessed the fabric correctly and yes, there was a pattern under all the fabric called Hearth and Home. Thanks Kim!!!!!)

Next up is Old Glory from the book Summer Weekend by Blackbird Designs. I had originally thought that my first attempt at a BBD quilt would be Home Sweet Home, but since all the fabrics are wonderfully arranged for me (thanks to a BOM program I was in) I'm going to start with this one. I'm not a hand quilter, but you have to start sometime. This will be a great project to work on while DD is dancing. For some reason I hate lugging cross stitch around.

Then another BOM from a shop. I've been aching to work on a Civil War Quilt - I've seen a few on the blogs that I just love, but I'm trying to make 2010 the year of being frugal, so since I've found one in my stash, the wallet is safe for a little bit!

And the next one (and last - I won't bore you with all of them now), is the Mother of all Samplers (kind of like Ann Medd, but in the quilting world):

The Jane Stickle quilt. All 225 blocks of loveliness. Another BOM, so all the fabrics are at hand! This one is going to be a challenge. But I figure that I have no deadline on this - it's only been sitting around here for the past seven years. So now is the time. It will probably take me seven years to complete, but what the heck!! What thrills me more is that the software that goes along with the quilt is compatible with my old computer (which still runs if you talk nice to it), so I think I'm all set.

And now the bat It was found and safely removed from the house. It showed up at 3:45 Saturday morning in the guest room where I had fallen asleep reading. Luckily I had pulled the covers down and gotten under them when I was reading. Because when I heard that thing, those covers flew over my head!!! UGH!!! At one point I reached out and turned the reading lamp on and saw it on the floor, but was afraid to move. I didn't want to call anyone either for fear that it would fly out of the room when the door was opened. I finally got the nerve to high-tail it out of the the room, shoved a towel under the door and wake up DH. We called a Bat Removal service who was there an hour later, walked into the room (the bat was hanging from the window treatment) shined a light on it and removed it with tongs. Humanely, by the way. He takes them back to his shop, makes sure they're okay and then releases them. So all's well that ends well. But what a fright!!

Well, that's all the fun for me this week. Tomorrow I'm finally having the sinus lift and implant done. I'm not looking forward to this at all. I guess I'm suppose to rest for a few days after this procedure to prevent excessive bleeding being surgery in the head (bloody noses, etc), so I'm thinking that this just may be a good excuse to sit and stitch. What do you think?

Have a wonderful week and thank you again for all your wonderful comments.

Ugh! I hope that surgery goes well tomorrow! I also hope you can manage to sit and stitch! I love your Yellow House Sampler so far! How could I have missed that A&E? Ah well, another to look for! lol! And all those quilts all ready to be sewn!! Argh! I love them all! What fun! Nice to know I'm not the only one who collects BOMs. lol!

Good luck with the surgery! I think sitting and stitching is just what the doctor ordered to help your recovery, and quilt fabric fondling probably comes into that category too :o) You've got some lovely projects to choose from!

Ooooh! I love all of your quilty finds, Deb! The basket with the spoon is full of Brannock & Patek fabrics! Hmmmm....I'll have to think about what patterns they put out when that line came out. That's been a while ago! Is there a pattern hiding under all the fabric? ha! That would be too easy!

Oh, boy, what a treasure trove, Deb. I can't wait to see the quilts underway--it'd be hard for me to decide between the BBD and the Jane Stickle. And I love your newest Sheepish Designs. I feel the same way about SDs.

Best wishes for your surgery to turn out pain-free. But just in case, better stay in bed/chair and stitch!

Yikes. Where do I start? The new sampler looks great, those quilts look amazing...love the fabric! I had two kids dancing a few years ago and spent tons of time stitching while waiting for them. The bat? I wouldn't have had the courage to leave the bed ever.

Wow Deb! You are moving right out on that sampler! Good golly, you're fast! Unbelievable quilt projects - I am especially drawn the the BBD quilt with the eagles - would love to do that for Matt one day, but never will..... You have so many fabulous projects to choose from - I knew you had stash but so much GOOD stash, that I didn't know.Good luck tomorrow! Call if you need ANYTHING!

First of all good luck on your sinus lift and implant tomorrow. Things will go well and think about all those stitches you'll get done while you're recovering. You will probably finish your yellow house design. I love fabric, too. Then again, is there really anything I don't love that involves color, texture or design??? Not!! Anyway, I really adore the patriotic BBD quilt kit, it's fabulous! I can't imagine what I'd do if I had a bat in the house!!! Too bad it wasn't Halloween, he would have made a nice touch. HaHaHa! Take care Deb!!!

Thinking of you Deb. I hope it all goes well, painlessly and recovery is quick. In the meantime, look at all those goodies. I'm jealous! And that one pattern that you found under the jelly rolls... Oh my...when you get that finished, you have my address, right?

Oh , Debbie, all my best wishes for your quickly recovery after your surgery act . Let us know how do you feel !I love your new stitching : the yellow is the sun color, right ?? so I hope your next days will be very bright .Isa

Deb! Thinking of you, and hope your surgery goes well. That does not sound fun at all! I was seriously dying reading about the bat in your house! What a crazy thing to have happen. I'm glad it worked out okay, and that he is back where he should be!I am in love with all of the quilts you've discovered! Holy cow, I want that Blackbird Quilt. I've never seen that book before. What a lovely quilt! I am on the hunt now! (Thanks a lot.)I am starting Dear Jane this year with my Mom and Sister-in-law. I don't think I will make the entire quilt. I was thinking a nice wall hanging, with my favorite blocks. I've been collecting fabric for the past couple of years for it, so it's time to get going. Want to join us? I could send you the things we are doing.Many hugs and hope you recover soon. Sorry I was silent on your last post. I've been out of the country. More later!

I hope your surgery went well Deb. Sending healing thoughts your way. OMG... all those wonderful, fabulous BOM quilt kits. I wouldn't know which one to start first... they are all wonderful and I can't wait to see them completed... so get busy with that rotary cutter.Your progress on the Yellow House looks great.

Deb - what a GREAT post - I'm just catching up on my blog reading after rug camp - thanks BTW for your comments on my new crewel rug. You'll be hooking soon but I think you'll be struggling to find time with all those gorgeous quilt stashes you uncovered - OH MY OH MY - I loved them all but the BBD one gets my vote for a first to start. Hand piecing - YGG - and the Yellow House is lovely - what a great design. Can't wait to see more - Oh dear Deb - I hope your surgery went as well as could be expected - it sounds so yuck and painful - hope you felt like stitching - update us when you can - hope you have a peaceful and relaxing weekend - Mel

I am slowly catching up on my google reader! I hope surgery went well and you have a big update for us this week! My mom quilts, but she doesn't have the gorgeous colors of material that you have!!! I noticed you have my Multiply site on your blog roll. I didn't know if you know I have a blogspot blog if that's easier for you to follow! http://ndmurdock.blogspot.com/

We had bats behind our shutters on the front porch and in the window of the attic. Not my favorite thing.I have the Jane Sickle CW book and have made several of the squares. I hope to work more on it this year. One of my quilting members finished it. Lovely!Jackie

Congratulations on finishing Adam Alone. I have just seen it in your other post. Your new project is such a beauty, I love Sheepish Designs so much.Your quilt stash is a dream. I can't wait and see what you are doing with all these wonderful fabrics. The Dear Jane quilt is also on my list of quilts that I will do after my retirement.I hope the surgery went well and you are recovering fast.

oh, DEB! You have a great stash!I love that Jane quilt and the Civil War one especially.I can't imagine how to take all that and cut for quilts with you to dance instead of cross stitch. I'm not a quilter so I guess I don't understand it but that was one good thing about monochromatic pieces, you don't have to spread out all the colors and pattern and such. But it makes good conversation starters!

oh yeah, and I love the Adam and Eve measuring cards. I've looked at some of those in another pattern and almost ordered them. I may have to now. There is one in a blueberry house sampler I want.So,off to online retail therapy today.Jennifer

I hope your surgery went well, and that you're feeling just fabulous! Adam Alone is wonderful, Deb! YGG! (Sorry - belated congrats... I'm catching up) Love the new start, it's going to look great! What a crazy thing re: the bat!! Good for you to call the Bat Removal Service! I would have tried to trap the thing and de-bat my house myself! Thanks for the info Terri! Now I'll know better than to do that!

About Me

My name is Debbie and I'm a stay at home mom with two very active children, a husband and a crazed Golden Doodle named Bailey. My passion is needlework of any kind, especially cross stitch. I was introduced to this over 30 years ago and have not stopped since. I also love to quilt, needlepoint and knit. I'm a passionate reader and Sudoku nut too!